This is a quick crash-course into Cypriot mythology, cut down to something around 400 words.

First important Cypriot myth is the myth of the birth of Aphrodite. In short, Cronus and his brothers castrated and cut their father, Ouranos, into pieces. When the castrated bit fell into the ocean Aphrodite was born. In Cyprus it is said that she rose out of the sea somewhere near Paphos. However, Cyprus is not the only place to claim their island as the birthplace of Aphrodite. Cythera, an island south of the Peloponnese, claims this as well.

The second important myth is that of Pygmalion and Galatea. Pygmalion of Cyprus was a skilled sculptor who created a statue that looked like it could very well be alive. Pygmalion fell in love with Galatea. On the festival day of Aphrodite, Pygmalion prayed that he would find a bride who would be “the living likeness of my ivory girl.” When he arrived home that night, he kissed Galatea and found her lips to be warm! Aphrodite had received his prayer. In this myth we once again see the presence of Aphrodite, obviously an important figure in Cypriot mythology.

A third myth, thats not quite as important, is that of Teucer. Teucer fought in the Trojan War on the side of the Achaeans and he had quite the family tree. His father was King Telamon of Salamis island, so he had the same dad as Telamonian Ajax. Telamon’s brother was Peleus, father of Achilles. That’s right Teucer and Ajax are the cousins of Achilles. And that’s just through his father. His mother was Hesione, daughter of King Laomedon of TROY! That would make King Priam his uncle and make Hector and Paris his other cousins. Teucer is related to the two great fighters of the Trojan War, Achilles and Hector! Thats one hell of a family tree. Anyways, he was a great archer and was even one of the Achaeans to enter the Trojan Horse and is credited with killing thirty Trojans. When Ajax committed suicide, Teucer guarded his body until it was buried, but this would end up being his downfall. When he returned to Salamis island his father held him guilty of not returning with Ajax’s body and was banished. Eventually Teucer made his way to Cyprus and founded the city of Salamis on the island!

So that’s my crash-course into three myths involving the Cypriot island!

Hunter Powell